The Indianapolis Colts, like every other NFL team, lack preseason games in which to initiate their rookies. While the NFL preaseason has always been an excessive parade of activity, a needlessly overexpansive succession of games in which players can be injured before Week 1 in September, it remains that having a preseason game can educate a rookie in ways training camp can’t fully match.
Four preseason games has always come across as excessive, but two preseason games sounds just about right. This year, the Colts and the rest of the NFL won’t even have two preseason games. Therefore, training camp and padded practices — which have both begun — will offer the main theater of activity in which rookies are challenged.
How is camp progressing for USC receiver Michael Pittman, taken with the 34th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft (the second choice in the second round)? One doesn’t have to answer this question directly to produce an optimistic view of how Pittman’s career will unfold with the Colts.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Michael Pittman has walked into the right situation… and the answer doesn’t necessarily begin with Pittman himself.
To be sure, Pittman has impressed observers with his strength and his hands, two obvious qualities a top wide receiver needs to have. To the extent that Pittman has received reviews and evaluations, they have been positive. Yet, it has to be emphasized that the best feature of the Colts for Pittman is that he won’t have to do everything himself in his rookie season.
This is a team he can blend into, an offensive roster which will make him better.
At Colts Wire, Frank Reich had this to say about Parris Campbell, the multi-threat skill player who will be used primarily as a receiver:
“Yeah, I think as much in Parris’ (Campbell) particular situation, I think mentally Parris is a really smart guy. But as I said before even with Pitt (Michael Pittman), there is always an adjustment for receivers just because there is a lot going on in the offense and a lot that you are responsible to know. We have high expectations there. That is why we always try to draft smart guys, of which Parris is one of those, but I just think that he just has complete command.”
Campbell’s early tenure in Indianapolis has been marked by injuries, but an accumulation of experience combined with renewed health have enabled Campbell to enter 2020 training camp with a much better chance of breaking out and having a strong season.
Imagine, then, a Colts offense in which Campbell thrives and T.Y. Hilton delivers the goods, with Philip Rivers distributing the ball.
Michael Pittman is expected to produce right off the bat — no one is questioning or doubting that reality — but he is surrounded by other elite players who will stretch the field and give Pittman chances to make plays in one-on-one situations. He won’t receive overwhelming attention from opposing defenses because the Colts have too many weapons. Pittman will be able to win 50-50 balls with his reach and his hands. He has the right set of circumstances in which he can thrive, and he doesn’t have to be the dominant figure in the offense, either.
More and more, it seems Pittman found an ideal spot in Indianapolis.